Method for using applications in a mobile station, a mobile station, and a system for effecting payments

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for using an application ( 18 ) in a mobile station ( 1 ). The application has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, whereby the first mode of operation is passive, and in the second mode of operation the application controls the master control unit (MCU) of the mobile station. The invention also relates to a system for making payments, comprising at least one mobile station ( 1 ), which has an application ( 18 ), means for using the application ( 18 ), and the first means of data transfer (IR,  20,  RF) for local data transfer. The system also comprises at least one cash register ( 21 ) or the like, which has the second means for data transfer (IR 2 ), and the application ( 18 ) comprises means for transferring data between the first means for data transfer (IR) and the second means for data transfer (IR 2 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method for using applications in amobile station, a mobile station (also called a mobile radiocommunication unit), and a system for effecting payments.

[0002] There are prior art mobile phones in which the control cardincludes a subscriber identification unit, such as the SIM (SubscriberIdentity Module) used in GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)standard based systems. The SIM comprises a control unit CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), program memory ROM (Read Only Memory), data memorysuited for long-term storage EEPROM (Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead Only Memory) and operation memory suited for saving data during useRAM (Random Access Memory). For using the mobile phone, a PIN (PersonalIdentification Number) number saved on the SIM must be given, generallywhen the mobile phone is switched on. Other user-specific information,such as telephone numbers, messages, etc. can also be saved in the datamemory of the SIM.

[0003] There are now also mobile phones which have a data connector forconnecting an external data processing unit, such as a portablecomputer. Thus the mobile phone can be used as a means for data transferbetween the portable computer and some other data processing equipmentthrough a radio communication network. In this way it is possible toestablish a connection e.g. to the user's bank for checking the balanceand effecting payments. However, an arrangement of this kind is not verypractical, because a separate cable is needed between the computer andthe mobile phone. In addition, the computer must be available forestablishing e.g. a bank connection.

[0004] Wireless systems, so called smart cards or payment cards, arealso known, the said cards being mostly used in payment applications,such as making payments in buses and public telephones. Smart cards likethis generally include a central processing unit, a program memory and adata memory. The internal operation of the card in use is controlled bythe CPU in accordance with the program code stored in the programmemory. The data memory is used for saving information relating to theintended use of the smart card, such as its value in money. Forperforming the payment transaction, the card also contains means fordata transfer, such as a transmitter/receiver based on electromagneticinduction. A disadvantage of smart cards of this kind is, e.g., the factthat several different cards may be needed for different kinds ofpayment, and so the user must carry a large number of cards. Inaddition, when the amount of money loaded in the card has been consumed,one needs to buy a new card or load a new amount of money in the card ata sales outlet offering a loading service.

[0005] The Japanese patent application JP 4 083 447 presents a mobilephone to which it is possible to add more properties by means of aseparate memory card. An application like this is preferably arrangedfor a certain use, such as for increasing the saving capacity or thetelephone number memory. Applications like this are based on a method inwhich the central processing unit of the mobile phone reads the datasaved in the applications (memory cards) and operates in a predeterminedway required by the data. A disadvantage of this method is the fact thatthe functions needed for performing different operations of theapplications must be programmed to the central processing unit CPU inadvance, whereby the development of new applications also requireschanges in the programs of the central processing unit.

[0006] The international patent application WO 91/12698 presents amobile phone to which it is possible to add properties by means of aseparate add-in card, such as a smart card. In this way it is possibleto restrict the use of the phone by preventing foreign calls,long-distance calls or calls to service numbers, for example. Theinformation about call restrictions is saved on an add-in card which theuser has to install in the mobile phone when it is being used. Thus themain use of this method is to prevent the use of some properties of themobile phone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In order to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and toraise the standard of technology in this field, a new method for usingapplications in a mobile radio communication unit (mobile station) hasbeen invented, as well as a new mobile station and a new system foreffecting payments. The application is preferably arranged for a certainuse, such as a credit card, a cash card or a payment card. Theapplication can also offer special services, like time tables for publictransportation or exchange rates. The application is preferablyimplemented in an application module, the technical solutions of whichcan be close to those of the above mentioned SIM. The same applicationmodule can contain more than one application. The application module isattached to a module card of a certain size, generally formed of plasticor corresponding material, in such a way that the application module hasan application connector for leading the required conductors from themobile station to the application module. The same module card caninclude several application modules, whereby each application module hasits own application module connector. The application module connectorsare functionally connected with the application module connectors ofcorresponding module cards. Each module card is connected to a modulecard connector arranged in the mobile station, in which arrangement thesaid module card connector also includes an application moduleconnector.

[0008] The invention is based on the idea that the mobile station can becomplemented with applications which have a first mode of operation anda second mode of operation. An application in the first mode ofoperation does not do anything actively, but stays in the background,passive. In the second mode of operation, the application is active andcan, e.g., control the central processing unit of the mobile station.When in the second mode of operation, the application can also useperipheral equipment which are generally known components of a mobilephone, such as a display, keypad, status indicators and data ports,which the application has requested when switching to the second mode ofoperation.

[0009] Applications used in the method of the invention can preferablybe of three different types, depending on the situation in which theapplication can switch to the second mode of operation: 1) The so-calledpower-up type, hereby the application switches to the second mode ofoperation as soon as possible after the mobile station is switched onand/or the module card is inserted, 2) The menu type, in which the usercan select the application he wants to be active, e.g., from a menushown on the display of the mobile station, and 3) Automatic type, inwhich the application switches to a second mode of operation when acertain condition, defined for the application, has been satisfied. Forexample, an application of the third operation mode can become active inthe GSM system, when the mobile station receives a specific SMS (ShortMessage Services) message. SMS messages are typically used to transfershort text messages between mobile stations. The automatic type can alsobe selected from a menu. A menu option can also be used in a situationin which several power-up type applications have been connected to themobile station, and one of the said applications can switch to thesecond mode of operation.

[0010] The method of the invention is characterized in that theapplication has a first mode of operation and a second mode ofoperation, whereby the application is passive in the first mode ofoperation, and in the second mode of operation the application controlsthe central unit of the mobile station.

[0011] The mobile station in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that it also comprises

[0012] means for setting the application in a first mode of operation,in which the application is passive,

[0013] means for setting the application in a second mode of operation,in which the application is active, and

[0014] means for controlling the central unit of the mobile station whenthe application is in the said second mode of operation.

[0015] Remarkable advantages are achieved by this invention compared tothe prior art solutions. By means of this invention, the range ofpossible uses for a mobile phone can be substantially increased. Besidesthe normal phone and data services, the mobile stations related to theinvention can also be used e.g. as a credit card and/or as a cash card,instead of traditional plastic cards. By means of a mobile stationequipped with a suitable application module the user can make paymentsin a shop using his/her credit account (credit card application) or paydirectly from his/her bank account (cash card application), and thus noreal cash is needed.

[0016] Typical for both credit card and cash card type of applicationsis that money, in electric form, is stored in a central computer (alsoreferred as a money server), which the mobile station contacts whenmaking a payment. The money server is typically located in a bank'spremises. If wanted, it is possible for the application to check thecredit limit or the balance of the bank account before the payment isaccepted.

[0017] It is also possible to store money to an “electric money purse”in the mobile station or in the application module itself. In that caseit preferably is not necessary to check the credit limit or balance ofthe bank account from the money server before the payment can beaccepted, i.e. it is not necessary to contact the money server formaking a payment. The information of how much money there is stored inthe “electric money purse” can be read from the memory of the mobilestation or the application module, from which electric money issubtracted when a payment is made. These kind of applications, where themoney is stored in the mobile station or in the application moduleitself, are also referred as payment applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a mobile station in accordancewith the invention,

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the electric construction of an application modulebus between the application module connection unit and CPU of a mobilestation in accordance with the invention,

[0020]FIG. 3a shows a control card of a mobile phone,

[0021]FIG. 3b shows the internal structure of the control card of themobile phone shown in FIG. 3a as a block diagram,

[0022]FIG. 3c shows a module card to which two application modules areconnected,

[0023]FIGS. 4a and 4b show the switching of the application from thefirst mode of operation to the second mode of operation as a flowchart,

[0024]FIG. 5 shows the path of the telephone call between theapplication and a mobile services switching center (MSC) in a mobileradio communication network as a simplified diagram,

[0025]FIG. 6 shows the use of a method in accordance with the inventionin connection with a cash card or payment card application,

[0026]FIG. 7 shows the communication between two mobile stations inaccordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, acard-controlled mobile station 1 comprises a master control unit MCU, auser interface UI, a high-frequency part RF, a low-frequency part AUDIO,a power unit 2, a first means for data transfer IR, and an applicationmodule connection unit 6. The operation of the mobile station 1 iscontrolled by the MCU, which has a program code stored in advance forperforming different operations.

[0028] The user interface UI comprises components which are known fromprior art mobile phones, namely a display 7, a keypad 8 and statusindicators 23. The MCU produces various, situation-specific messages,operation instructions, menus etc. on the display 7. Using the keypad 8,the user can enter different kind of information to the mobile station1, such as the identification number and telephone number, and selectoperations from the menus. The status indicators 23 can preferably beused to indicate the internal modes of operation of the mobile station1.

[0029] The radio frequency component RF is a known component of mobilephones, which is used to transmit and receive calls and messages usingradio frequencies in a radio communication network, such as a GSMnetwork, e.g. through a mobile services switching center, MSC.

[0030] The low-frequency part AUDIO preferably comprises a microphone 9,a headphone 10 and a buzzer 11 or the like.

[0031] The operation power for the mobile station 1 is supplied by abattery 12, which is charged when required. The power unit 2 monitorsthe charge status and charging procedure of the battery 12, among otherthings. The power unit 2 sends the information to the central unit MCUwhen the charge status of the battery 12 falls below a predeterminedvalue, whereby the MCU announces this preferably by sounding the buzzer11 and/or showing a message on the display 7.

[0032] A module card 13, like the one shown in FIG. 3a, is connected tothe module card connector (not shown) located in the mobile station 1.The module card 13 can contain, among other things, a subscriberidentity module (SIM) for user identification.

[0033] Application module connectors have been arranged in theapplication modules 19 in the module card 13.

[0034]FIG. 3b shows the internal structure of the SIM as a simplifiedflowchart. The central processing unit CPU controls the operation of theSIM on the basis of the program code stored in the program memory.Various user-specific information can be saved in the data memoryEEPROM, and this information stays in the memory even if the controlcard SIM is removed from the application module connection unit 6. Theapplication module connection unit 6 is located in the mobile station 1as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. During the operation of the control card, theoperation memory RAM (FIG. 3b) can be used as a temporary data storage.The bus adapter DATA-I/O fits the SIM card to the application module bus14 and to the control and data line I/O (FIG. 2).

[0035] Other module cards 13 can also be connected to the applicationmodule connection unit 6 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, wherebythey are preferably connected to their own module card connectors. Theapplication module 19 (FIG. 3c) on the module card 13 can have a similarmechanic and electric construction as the SIM card shown in FIGS. 3a and3 b. From the application module connection unit 6 to the centralprocessing unit of the mobile station 1 (MCU), there is an applicationmodule bus 14, by means of which the application modules 19 connected tothe application module connection unit 6 communicate with the MCU. TheAT commands, known e.g. from modems, can be used for the transfer ofdata and commands. The AT commands have been described in more detaile.g. in the Master of Science Thesis of Petri Heinonen, “Proposal forStandard AT Commands Used with GSM Mobile Equipment”, 1994, TampereUniversity of Technology.

[0036] In addition to the application module bus 14, there is a separatecontrol and data line I/O, I/O′, I/O″ (FIG. 2) from each applicationmodule connector 15, 16, 17, of the application module connection unit6. Thus it is possible to use a structure based on the standard seriesISO 7816 in the control and data line. The standard series ISO 7816includes the voltage levels and timing diagrams, according to which theapplication modules 19 (FIG. 3c) are connected to the control and dataline I/O, I/O′, I/O″.

[0037] For each application module 19, the application module connectingunit 6 has a connector, through which the application module bus 14 isled to the application module 19.

[0038] More than one application modules 19 can be connected to the samemodule card 13, as shown in FIG. 3c. The second application module 19′on the module card 13 can be a SIM module, for example.

[0039] The mobile station 1 also comprises a first means of datatransfer, such as an infra red IR transmitter/receiver. The first meansof IR data transfer can be used to transfer data, with relatively shortdistances, between the mobile station 1 and a cash register (paymentterminal) 21 or, e.g., between two different mobile stations 1 (FIG. 7).

[0040] The first means of data transfer IR may also include a dataconnector 20, which can be used to connect a computer to the mobilestation 1 (FIG. 1).

[0041]FIGS. 4a and 4 b show how the application 18 is activated andinactivated, and how the application 18 is switched from the first modeof operation to the second mode of operation and vice versa. In thispatent application, the first mode of operation means a mode in whichthe application does not do anything actively, but gets instructionsthrough an application in the second mode of operation or through theMCU. The second mode of operation means a controlling mode, whereby anapplication in the second mode of operation can control the operation ofvarious units of the mobile station 1, including the central unit MCU,and send messages to other applications.

[0042] The MCU can also have two different modes of operation: 1) normalmode and 2) application mode. In the normal mode, the central unit MCUoperates like in a known mobile phone, controlling the operation of themobile station. In the application mode, the MCU can be controlled by anapplication 18 (FIG. 3c), which is in the second mode of operation. Evenin the application mode, the central unit MCU can read the keypad 8 andsend information of keypad input to the application 18 in the secondmode of operation, if the said application 18 requests it.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 4a, the procedure starts from theswitching on (100) of the mobile station 1, whereafter the MCU of themobile station 1 sets the control and data line I/O of the firstapplication module connector 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to the reset status(block 101). If an application module 19 (FIG. 3c) has been connected tothe first application module connector 15, and the said module 19 sendsan acceptable ISO 7816 answer (block 102) to the MCU, the MCU sets thecontrol and data line I/O of the first application module connector 15to the allow status (block 103). In block 104 the MCU concludes whetherall application module connectors 15, 16, 17, have been examined.

[0044] If all application module connectors 15, 16, 17 have not yet beenexamined, the procedure returns to block 101, in which the nextapplication module connector 16, 17, is examined. If the MCU gets noresponse in block 102, or if the reply is not acceptable, the procedurecontinues in block 105, in which the MCU concludes that an ISO 7816based application module 19 has not been attached to the applicationmodule connector 15, 16, 17.

[0045] When all application module connectors 15, 16, 17 have beenexamined, the procedure continues in block 106, in which the useridentification, which is a known operation e.g. from a GSM network, isperformed. If the user identification fails, the power-up procedure ofthe mobile station 1 is stopped (block 107). The user has generallythree opportunities to give his/her own personal identification number.If the identification number is not given right at the third time, theuser must give a longer identification code, after which the user hasagain three opportunities to give his/her own personal identificationnumber right. If the user does not give the right identification numberat any of these three extra opportunities, either, the user must givethe longer and shorter identification code again. If the identificationnumber is not given right after the allowed number of attempts, thecontrol card destroys the information contained in it, whereby thecontrol card SIM is permanently disabled.

[0046] When the personal identification number has been givensuccessfully, the MCU moves to block 108, in which the MCU queries theinformation of applications 18 contained in the application module 19connected to the first application module connector 15. If theapplication module 19 contains applications 18, the MCU reads theinformation of applications 18 (block 109) and saves them to its memory(block 110). If the examined application module 19 does not haveapplications 18, or there is no application module in the connector, theMCU saves this information in its memory (block 111). In block 112 theMCU concludes whether all application modules 19 have been examined. Ifthere are still application modules 19, which have not been examined,the procedure returns to block 108, which queries the information ofapplications 18 contained in the next application module 19.

[0047] When the MCU has examined all application modules 19, theprocedure continues after block 112 in block 113, in which the MCUprints a menu on the display 7 of the mobile station 1, and the user canselect from the menu the application 18, which is to be switched to thesecond mode of operation, to control the MCU. If the user selects anapplication 18, the MCU asks which parts of the user interface UI arerequired by the application 18, such as the display 7, the keypad 8and/or the status indicators 23. If the MCU does not get an acceptableanswer from the selected application 18, the procedure returns to block113. Whereas if the MCU gets an acceptable answer from the selectedapplication 18, the MCU switches to the application mode, i.e. to becontrolled by the selected application 18 (block 115).

[0048] If the user does not select an application 18 (block 113), theMCU switches to the normal mode (block 116), in which no application 18controls the MCU, but all applications 18 are in the first mode ofoperation.

[0049] In the normal mode, block 117, the MCU can print a menu on thedisplay 7 of the mobile station 1, a menu which contains theapplications 18 available in the application modules 19. From the menu,the user can select the application which is to be switched to thesecond mode of operation (block 118). If the module card 13 is detachedfrom the module card connector, all applications 18 in the detachedmodule card 13 will be removed from the menu of the mobile station 1(block 128).

[0050] In block 118, the situation, where the MCU queries theapplications 18 contained in the selected application module 19, isdescribed. If the MCU gets an acceptable answer from the applicationmodule 19, the MCU ignores power-up-type applications 18, but savesinformation of other applications (block 119). If the MCU does not getan acceptable answer from the application 18, no new applications 18will be added (block 120).

[0051] If the MCU is in the normal mode of operation in block 116, andthe user selects an application 18 from a menu, or an application 18 ofan automatic type informs the MCU that it is switching to the secondmode of operation, the MCU will ask which units of the user interface UIof the mobile station 1 the application 18, switching to the second modeof operation, will need (block 121). If the MCU does not get anacceptable answer from the application 18, the operation of the MCU willmove to block 117. If the application 18 gives an acceptable answer tothe MCU, the MCU will switch to the application mode (block 115).

[0052] When the MCU is in the application mode (block 115), and theprecondition for an application 18 of the automatic type to switch tothe second mode of operation is satisfied, that moment the application18 in the second mode of operation is queried whether the application ofan automatic type can switch to the second mode of operation (block122). If switching is not allowed, the procedure returns to block 115.If switching is possible, the MCU asks the application of an automatictype 18 which units of the user interface UI of the mobile station 1 itneeds (block 123). If the answer is not acceptable, the operation of theMCU returns to block 115 again. When the answer is acceptable, theapplication 18 of an automatic type switches to the second mode ofoperation to control the operation of the MCU, and at the same time theapplication 18, which was in the second mode of operation, switches tothe first mode of operation.

[0053] If the module card 13, containing application modules 19, theapplications 18 of which are in the first mode of operation, is removedfrom the module card connector, the said applications 18 will be removedfrom the menu.

[0054] If a new module card 13 is added to the mobile station 1, theidentifying parameters of applications 18 of application modules 19 inthe module card 13 are queried in block 125. If the application module19 sends the identifiers to the MCU, the MCU rejects power-up-typeapplications 18 and saves the other applications 18 contained in theapplication module 19 in block 126. If no acceptable answer is receivedfrom the application module 19, the information of the applicationmodule will not be added (block 127).

[0055] If a module card 13 is removed from the module card connector,the said card 13 containing a power-up or automatic type of application18, which is the second mode of operation, the mobile station 1 isswitched off. Otherwise the MCU returns to the normal mode (block 116).An application 18 of the menu or automatic type being in the second modeof operation can also return automatically or be returned manually bythe user to the first mode of operation (129).

[0056] In the following, the operation of a cash card or other paymentcard application in a mobile station 1 representing an embodiment ofthis invention will be described in principle (FIG. 6).

[0057] The mobile station 1 has both the control card SIM and oneapplication module 19 connected to it, and the said module 19 containsan application 18 (not shown in FIG. 6), which in this example is a cashcard application. The application 18 has at least one accountcorresponding to the user's bank account, whereby the user can makepayments from the account in the application 18. Preferably, when theapplication 18 has been brought into use, the balance information hasbeen read from the bank account, e.g. using the normal data channel ofthe GSM network or as a SMS message, and saved to the data memoryEEPROM, which is part of the application module 19 and is used by theapplication 18.

[0058] In connection with the payment, the application 18 reduces thebalance of the account in the application 18 accordingly. The updatingof payment transactions etc. in the application 18 to the user's bankaccount can take place preferably automatically, controlled by theapplication 18, e.g. at a certain time, and/or as selected by the userfrom a menu of the mobile station 1, and/or in connection with thepayment. When the bank account is updated, the application 18 guides theMCU to establish a connection for data transfer through a MobileServices Switching Center MSC, and most often through some private wirednetwork, to the computer 22 in the bank. Establishing the connection cantake place either by asking the user for the telephone number first, orby using a number saved in the memory of the application, which makesthe procedure easier. Preferably, if SMS messages are used to update thebalance information, the normal speech/data channel is free for otheractivities.

[0059] In the mobile station 1, the user can have many differentaccounts at the same time, such as a bank account, a credit accountand/or a cash account, and they can be in different applications 18,even in different application modules 19. An advantage of this methodis, among other things, the fact that the user can transfer moneybetween the accounts, e.g. from a credit account to a bank account orcash account.

[0060] The application 18 can be brought into use e.g. after the mobilestation 1 has been switched on, as is shown in the flowchart of FIGS. 4aand 4 b. The MCU prints a message to the display 7 for entering theidentification number. The user enters his/her own identificationnumber, which is read by the MCU and transmitted to the SIM card. Thecentral processing unit CPU in the SIM examines the enteredidentification number by comparing it to the previously savedidentification number and informs the MCU whether the identificationnumber has been given right. If the identification number was not right,the MCU can ask the user to give it again.

[0061] If the identification number has been given right, the MCUoperates in accordance with the phases described above. Because thereare no other application modules 19 in the other connectors 16, 17, inthis embodiment, the MCU prints a menu to the display 7, from which theuser can select an application 18 of the application module 19, whichapplication is a cash card application, whereafter the application 18switches to the second mode of operation, and the MCU switches to theapplication mode.

[0062] Ordinary phone calls can be made with the mobile station 1. Allthe other functions of the mobile station 1 are also available. Theessential difference is that when the user enters a telephone numberfrom the keypad 8, the MCU transmits the key press information to anapplication in the second mode of operation, which guides the MCU toestablish a connection.

[0063] If a user wants to inquire the balance of his/her bank account,he/she will first select the menu function using the keypad 8, wherebythe MCU transmits the key press information to the application 18. Theapplication 18 guides the MCU to print a menu to the display 7, fromwhich the user can select a balance query. After the user has selected abalance query from the menu, the MCU transmits the key press to theapplication 18, which examines it and sends a message to the MCU, whichthen prints a text on the display 7, telling the user that the mobilestation 1 is performing a balance query. Next the application retrievesthe balance saved in the data memory EEPROM of the application moduleand forms a message by which the MCU prints the balance on the display7.

[0064] The following is an example of the implementation of theaforementioned balance query using AT commands: Event code: +CKEV: 91,1(choose menu) AT command: AT+CDIS=“NOKSET”,“View{circumflex over( )}”,“menu v”,“”,“”,“Quit” (update display) AT command:AT+CIND=,,,,11,11 (update indicators) Event code: +CKEV: 91,0 Eventcode: +CKEV: 49,1 (choose menu number 1 . . . ) AT command:AT+CIND=,,,,11,1 Event code: +CKEV: 49,0 Event code: +CKEV: 53,1 ( . . .number 15) AT command: AT+CIND=,,,,1,5 Event code: +CKEV: 53,0 ATcommand: AT+CDIS=“NOKSET”,“Amount of”,“balance”,“”,“OK”,“Quit” (displaymenu 15) AT command: AT+CIND=,,,,0,0 Event code: +CKEV: 91,1 (choose“OK”) AT command: AT+CDIS=“NOKSET”,“Requesting . . . ”,“”,“”,“”,“Quit”Event code: +CKEV: 91,0 AT command: AT+CMGS=“12345678”Request amount ofbalance message{circumflex over ( )}Z (send short message) Event code:+CMT TEXT: “12345678”,12 (receive result) 125232,69 mk0,0,0,,94102610100058,8, AT command: AT+CDIS=“NOKSET”,“Youhave”,“125232,69 mk”,“”,“”,“Quit” (display result)

[0065] In the previous example, the balance inquiry was done from thememory of the application module in the mobile station. Typical forthese account based applications is the need of data transfer betweenthe mobile station and the bank. If that data transfer fails, for somereason, it may be necessary to do the balance inquiry or update“manually” from the bank. If the user selects direct balance inquiry,using e.g. a menu, the mobile station transmits a balance inquiry to thebank using e.g. short message service SMS, if available. In the messagethere is the current balance of the account in the application, from theapplication module's memory, included. Therefore, when the bank returnsthe updated balance, preferably both the changes in the applicationmodule's and bank's accounts can be taken into account.

[0066] Payments from the account can also be made easily by entering theappropriate information from the keypad 8 of the mobile station 1.

[0067] The following is a description of one exemplary embodiment of theinvention, in which the application 18 is a cash application, by whichpayments can be made e.g. in shops or buses.

[0068] The application 18 is identified as shown in the previousexample. When the application 18 has switched to the second mode ofoperation, the user can establish a connection with the mobile station 1to the computer 22 in the bank, and transfer money from his/her accountto the cash application. In practice, the transfer takes placeelectronically, whereby the balance of the cash card increases and thebalance of the bank account decreases. The user performs internal banktransfers with the mobile station 1 from the bank account of the paymentapplication to the cash application or vice versa. Internal banktransfers require that the information on the transfers must be updatedto the computer 22 in the bank.

[0069] For making the payment, the user enters a certain code, by whichhe/she informs the application 18 that he/she wants to pay for theshopping. After this, the application establishes a connection throughthe MCU to the first means for data transfer IR, such as an IRtransmitter/receiver or the like. Second means of data transfer arearranged in the cash register 21 or the like in the shop, through whichmeans the application 18 and the EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale)terminal application of the cash register can have a mutual connectionfor data transfer.

[0070] When the connection has been established, the user enters theidentification number of the cash card, and the cash card applicationcompares it to the previously saved identification number. If theidentification number has been given right, and the application 18 hassufficient balance, the payment transaction is registered both in thecash register 21 and the application 18 of the mobile station 1, wherebythe balance on the cash card is decreased correspondingly. The up-datingof the payment transaction to the computer 22 can take place either froman EPOS application or from the application 18 of the mobile station 1.

[0071] In IR data transfer, it is preferable to use a known standard,such as the protocol stack defined by IrDA (Infrared Data Association),which is based on the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model of ISO.The protocol stack uses the layers of the OSI model: 1) physical layer,2) data link layer, 3) network layer and 7) application layer.

[0072] On the physical layer, data transfer can be based on infrared,but other known methods of data transfer, such as ultrasound,electromagnetic induction or radio waves, can also be used.

[0073] Data transfer is secured in the data link layer, e.g. by errorcorrection algorithms. In addition, the functions of the data link layerare used for identifying the means for data transfer in situations inwhich many means of data transfer can be operating simultaneously, e.g.in shops where there are many EPOS applications.

[0074] In the network layer, the messages going through the means fordata transfer can be distributed to the receivers regardless of thenumber of means for data transfer in operation. In addition, theinformation to be transmitted can be enciphered in the network layer,which is particularly important in payment applications.

[0075] The application 18 is capable of data transfer through theapplication layer, in which the application 18 sends and receivesinformation needed for data transfer through the MCU preferably to thefirst means for data transfer, IR, or to the radio communicationnetwork.

[0076] Correspondingly, the other piece of equipment participating inthe data transfer, such as the cash register 21 (FIG. 6), has an EPOSterminal application, which handles messages it has received throughother means of data transfer IR2, in accordance with the layer structuredescribed above.

[0077]FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of a telephone call between theAPPLICATION and the Mobile Services Switching Center MSC, which is partof a mobile services network. At step 200, the application sends thetelephone number to be called to the MCU of the mobile station 1, whichsends to the Mobile Switching Center MSC the identification data andother data needed for establishing a connection (steps 201, 202 and203). The switching center MSC transmits information of the progress ofthe call (step 204) and the state of the connection (step 205) to themobile station 1, after which the mobile station 1 sends acknowledgmentof connection to the MSC (step 206) and to the application 18 (step207). For closing the connection, the application 18 sends a closeconnection command to the MCU of the mobile station 1 (step 208), whichsends a close connection request to the Mobile Services Switching Center(step 209). The MSC sends a connection closed acknowledgment to the MCUof the mobile station 1 (step 210). Finally, the MCU of the mobilestation 1 sends to the application 18 information of the closing of theconnection (step 211).

[0078] In the previous exemplary embodiment of the invention the moneywas stored in an account, finally located in a money server in a bank.Therefore it was necessary to update the balance in the mobile stationand in the bank. In another embodiment of this invention the electricmoney is stored to the mobile station itself. When that kind of electricmoney (also referred as “Digital Cash”) is used, e.g. for paying parkingfees or phone bills, the corresponding amount of money is cut down fromthe electric money purse of the mobile station. The “Digital Cash” canbe stored e.g. as a code word in mobile stations memory. No link betweenthe payment terminal 21 (FIG. 6) and the money server 22 is required atthe moment when the payment is made

[0079] When the “Digital Cash” has run out or more is needed, theelectric money purse of the mobile station needs reloading. There areseveral methods to do that. One method, close to the approach with realmoney and ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) machines, would be to walk tothe nearest “Digital Cash ATM” to download more money from the account.This is not very handy, because it will take some time before these kindof “Digital Cash ATM” machines are widely available. The presentinvention offers a much more convenient way to do the reloading of“Digital Cash”.

[0080] Using the SMS service, it is possible to download more “DigitalCash” from the bank account to the mobile station, using a method closeto the one described in the previous embodiment of the inventionconcerning balance inquiry. The mobile station sends a request to sendmore “Digital Cash”, e.g. as a SMS message, to the money serverresponsible for the user's account. As a response, suppose the accounthas balance, the money server sends “Digital Cash” to the mobilestation, where it is stored to the memory.

[0081] The network, where the mobile station in accordance with theinvention is used is not limited to GSM only, GSM is a good example of asystem that offers required data transfer possibilities. Particularlythe SMS messages available in GSM network are handy, because the normalphone/data channel is not effected when transferring SMS messages.

[0082] In addition to payment applications, the method of the inventioncan also be used for other kinds of applications. For example gatheringand presenting other information, such as timetables, stock prices,exchange rates, etc. Each of the previous examples can be implemented ina separate application module, or the wanted functions and applicationscan be combined to a multi-functional application module for the mobilestation.

[0083]FIG. 7 shows an application in which two mobile stations 1 docommunicate with each other by means of the first means of data transferIR. It is possible to transfer e.g. data and/or speech. Preferably thefirst means of data transfer IR makes it possible to connect the mobilestation 1 also e.g. to a movable PC which has the corresponding meansfor data transfer IR or to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0084] The method of the invention provides a flexible means forincreasing the usability of the mobile station 1. A mobile station 1 inaccordance with the invention can make use of various services fromsuppliers who produce and sell applications 18. For credit cardcompanies, a method like this is one way of reducing misuse of creditcards.

[0085] The invention is not limited to the above described exemplaryembodiments only, but its details can be modified without departing fromthe scope defined by the attached claims.

1. A method for using an application in a mobile station comprising amaster control unit MCU for implementing mobile station functions,wherein the application has a first mode of operation and a second modeof operation, whereby the first mode of operation is passive and in thesecond mode of operation the application controls the master controlunit MCU.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein theapplication is a cash card application.
 3. A method in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the application is a payment card application.
 4. Amethod in accordance with claim 1, wherein the application is a creditcard application.
 5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein whenthe application is in the second mode of operation, the mobile stationcommunicates with an other mobile station using first means of datatransfer IR.
 6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mastercontrol unit MCU is controlled by using AT commands.
 7. A method inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the master control unit MCU of themobile station has two modes of operation: normal mode and applicationmode.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the application isof the power-up-type, of the menu type or automatic.
 9. A mobile stationwhich has means for using an application, wherein the mobile stationalso comprises means for setting the application in the first mode ofoperation, means for setting the application in the second mode ofoperation, and means for controlling the master control unit MCU of themobile station.
 10. A mobile station in accordance with claim 9, whereinthe mobile station also comprises means for infrared data transfer. 11.A mobile station in accordance with claim 9, wherein the mobile stationalso comprises means for connecting the mobile station to a computer.12. A mobile station in accordance with claim 9, wherein the mobilestation is a GSM mobile phone.
 13. A mobile station in accordance withclaim 9, wherein the said means for controlling the master control unitMCU are located in the application.
 14. A system for effecting payments,wherein the system comprises at least one mobile station, which has anapplication, means for using the application, and the first means fordata transfer for local data transfer, at least one cash register or thelike, which has the second means for data transfer, and the applicationcomprises means for transferring data between the first means for datatransfer and the second means for data transfer.